Mountain Adventure Holidays
Snowshoeing is the perfect winter activity for those who enjoy mountain walking. Each winter we find that more and more summer hikers are joining us in the snow in a bid to continue their passion all year around.
Booking a custom snowshoe trip means you can choose your companions and set your own goals for the trip. We have been guiding in winter since Tracks and Trails was set up in 2006 and as a result we have a wide range of itineraries which we can suggest at locations across the Alps.
Snowshoeing does not require previous experience as it is simply a case of walking in the snow, but with equipment that makes it easier to do so. You do, however, need a good level of fitness to make the most of your trip, unless you would prefer our slow snowshoe approach which ensures as many cake and coffee stops as possible!
Any of our Scheduled Departure trips can be adapted to a private trip. Please also take a look at the Itinerary section above for just a few ideas which may help you to make a start. Or if you already know what you want then get in touch with our office.
Use the interactive map above to browse your preferred country and destination.
We can create private adventure holiday itineraries guided by fully qualified professional mountain guides, known as International Mountain Leaders. We have extensive experience in the European Alps, in particular in France, Switzerland, and Italy. We also offer trips in Austria, Germany and Slovenia.
The chance to spend a night in a mountain inn, isolated from the rest of the world by the snow and ice, is an opportunity not to be missed. Accommodation ranges from ancient monasteries to rustic wooden chalets, and state of the art igloos. It's a wonderful experience to come in from the cold to a warm welcome in the high mountains. You might want to consider including this option for one of the nights of your snowshoe holiday?
These 'refuges' are widespread across the Alps, but for ease of reference we have given a few options below that are easily reached from Chamonix Valley, in France. We find that with Geneva airport only 1 hour, 15 minutes away, that many of our guests 'pop' over to Chamonix from the UK for a few days of winter air. There are, of course, many other possibilities for a night or two in the mountains.
Below are a few wonderful options that are within driving distance of Chamonix Valley, France. There are many more possibilities across the Alps.
The Grand St Bernard Hospice, Switzerland is on a high pass linking Italy and Switzerland and is home to the world famous St Bernard mountain dog. The monks at the Monastery have been offering comfort to weary travellers since the 11th century. In winter it can only be reached by snowshoes or skis which makes it a wonderful destination for a night in the mountains. We can begin with a drive to Switzerland to visit to the Grand St Bernard Museum in Martigny. The perfect introduction to the Monastery and its history. We then travel a little further to begin our hike. The route climbs high above the tree line through a snow covered valley to reach the Grand St Bernard Hospice founded in 1049 where we spend the night. Ascent 544m.
The following morning we leave the monastery to explore further into this vast valley and network of peaks. Our route takes us initially down and then climbs to the Italian frontier and the Col Ouest de Barasson at 2635m. We are rewarded with excellent views into Italy, of the Mont Blanc range, and nearby summit of the Pain de Sucre. The perfect location to enjoy a picnic lunch and stillness of the mountains. Ascent 700m.
Le Refuge Tornieux, France is a characterful and cosy option for a great night in the mountains in Chamonix Valley. The refuge sits in a high bowl below the stunning Aravis mountain range with great views all the way back to Mont Blanc. There is an easy trail which ascends to the refuge and if necessary we could arrange to have some luggage delivered for you. Otherwise we hike up with what we need for the night. A pleasant evening can be passed here enjoying the local cuisine and wine.
Next morning, we can walk further into the high bowl and enjoy the views before we head back down to the valley. It is also possible to rent sledges and enjoy a 5 km trail from the refuge down to the parking area.
La Petite Auberge, Switzerland makes an excellent snowshoe destination and is suitable for all levels. We park below the lake and then climb steadily on a wide track to what is essentially a hidden valley surrounded by stunning peaks. The Auberge itself is situated in a quiet alpine setting by Lac de Tanay, Switzerland and you will be welcomed with excellent local cuisine. The building has been recently renovated and really is a glorious hideaway where we have never before met any snowshoers or skiers who are not 'locals' who share our secret.
The next morning we can enjoy a wander further up the valley before descending back down to the auberge for a well-earned coffee. After re-fuelling we make our way back down to our vehicle. It is also possible today to have time to visit the Grand St Bernard Museum in Martigny to learn about the history of the Grand St Bernard Monastery and the famous rescue dogs of the same name.
Walking through the forest at night with the snow sparkling on the pine needles is one of the great joys of snowshoeing. If you are visiting Chamonix Valley, in France, we can arrange an evening snowshoe walk to a wonderful characterful Auberge where you can enjoy a delicious dinner of local food, while warming yourself before a log fire. It is something that all the family can enjoy with a snowshoe hike that can be adapted to suit you.
All you will need is warm clothes and a sense of adventure! We can provide all the snowshoe equipment including a head torch. We would meet you as the sun sets and head off to explore the snow covered alpine forests.
La Boerne is a refuge dating back to the 18th century. Located on high ground a few kilometres from Chamonix it provides a wonderful venue for dinner. At La Boerne you can 'feel' the mountain history, the culture that has shaped the communities of this alpine valley. The Auberge is in fact run by Gilbert, a High Mountain Guide, descended from a long line of famous climbers and guides of the Chamonix Valley. This is a true alpine experience and a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
La Vieilles Luge is an ancient farm chalet perched above Chamonix. The restaurant has an amazing ambiance, and dates back 250 years. It is run by a family who can trace their roots back to 1479.
Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in Western Europe and the world famous alpine town of Chamonix provides a stunning base for snowshoeing. This French town is full of character and history and makes a great location to spend a few days or a week of snowshoeing. Every time you look up you see 'it' there, a world of snow, ice and rock and dreams of mountain adventure.
With a wide range of accommodation on offer Chamonix suits all budgets and requirements. It is also only a 30 minute drive to Switzerland where we have the chance to conquer some peaks, or even spend a night in the world famous Grand St Bernard Monastery, a unique experience.
Below are just a few of the possible snowshoe routes that are available near Chamonix:
Chalets de Chailloux,france
If this is your fist time on snowshoes we will spend time making sure you are comfortable with the equipment. It really is simply a case of walking, but wearing an item of kit on your feet that makes it all easier. We spend the day enjoying a walk with views of the Mont Blanc massif from the Chalets de Chailloux, a fabulous vantage point that gives a wonderful photo opportunity to capture Chamonix valley and glaciers. Ascent 570m.
Today we could have a trip to Switzerland, and an ascent of one of the best viewpoints of the area. We head up initially through pine woods, watching out for squirrels and roe deer, and then into more open ground as we arrive at alpage. An alpage is where the sheep and cows graze in the summer months. We then wind our way to the summit which offers incredible panoramas of Mont Blanc, the Dents du Midi, and the Rhône Valley. Ascent 770m.
Chalet Loriaz is above the hamlet of Vallorcine. The Vallorcine valley, which means ‘valley of the bears', used to easily be cut off during the winter months due to it's access being two mountain passes. Unfortunately, because the locals used to pay their taxes in bear meat there are none left today! We leave the village to climb steadily on a good trail until we reach the open mountainside of the alpage at Loriaz. If the conditions permit we can also ascend the higher point of the Charmoz. Ascent 700m.
A truly beautiful ridge line which offers excellent views in all directions. Today we drive down the valley towards the market town of Sallanches where we take a small mountain road climbing to the parking at Le Perret. From here we pick up the forest trail which zigzags up the hillside to the ancient farms below the Tete Noire at 1691m, a fine summit in itself. We then leave the trees to discover what have to be some of the finest views of the Mont Blanc range. On one side the valley which leads to Chamonix, with Mont Blanc in the distance, on the other the Aravis mountains, and ahead the shapely mountain of the Croisse Baulet at 2236m. Ascent 680m.
Chamonix is easily reached from other European & Worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane. Geneva is the closest international airport, only 1 hour 15 minutes away by road, making shared transfers, buses or trains easy to arrange.
We find that many of our bespoke trips are based on the Scheduled Departures which we already offer on this website. Simply browse the Scheduled Departures and decide which one you would like as a private trip. The itineraries can be adjusted to suit your needs with 'rest' days inserted where appropriate, and the number of trip days either extended or shortened.
In this respect we find that the Traverse of the Chablais which is a six day mountain journey is popular as a bespoke trip. Also our centre based week Chamonix Snowshoe Adventure is also a great week for a private group. We can source a chalet or hotel which can be used as your base for this week.
Our totally bespoke trips are those where you have the ideas and the dreams and we discuss how these can be achieved. They could feature an element of our Scheduled Departure trip itineraries, but also include other optional activities, such as cross country skiing, alpine skiing, ice climbing, dog sledding, or maybe something more relaxing such as a visit to the beautiful spa at Pre St Didier in Italy, followed by compulsory gelato, to end your trip?
Every winter we spend time at Venabu, in Norway, a tranquil mountain hotel on the edge of the Rondane National Park. Here there are many activities available which can be included in a snowshoe trip, there is dog sledding, cross country skiing, horse drawn sleigh rides, yoga/pilates classes and massage available.
In other words 'Bespoke' means created and crafted just for you and your family or friends. A unique experience in the stunning mountains of the Alps or indeed farther afield such as Bulgaria or Scandinavia.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. Single rooms are usually available for a supplement. With a family group we can sometimes book a family 'suite' which usually means two inter-connecting bedrooms. Note that it is very rare to have air conditioning in European mountain areas, and most bedrooms do not have this facility. If you have any questions about the accommodation please contact us.
Centre Based
With a private tailor-made trip you can choose your preferred standard of accommodation. Once you have decided where you would like to be based, we can advise you of the options available. Some towns and villages will have more options than others. If based in a large town there is usually a broader range of accommodation available from budget to luxury.
Point to Point
If you are embarking on a point-to-point journey you may find that there is no option or choice of accommodation. However, this does not always mean basic accommodation, some mountain locations offer wonderful, characterful and traditional mountain hospitality. The choice is yours and we will prepare a quote for your trip based on the standard of accommodation chosen.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. Note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
We go to great lengths to work with first class guides who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
Please note your snowshoe guide has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment. This is particularly relevant in a winter environment where the snowpack can change on a daily basis.
Your guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting. You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
This is a general statement with regard to luggage and is not specific to your trip. Firstly, luggage on wheels is a good idea as you may have to walk a short way to your accommodation or bedroom.
Point to Point
The majority of our point-to-point trips have luggage support which means your bags are transferred each day to the next accommodation and you only need to wear a small/medium sized 'rucksack' for items you might need during the course of the day.
On some trips which feature a night in a refuge/rifugio/hut your main luggage may not be available that evening due to lack of vehicle access. Your rucksack should be of sufficient capacity to carry a few extra items required for this overnight. Your trip itinerary will indicate on which nights you do not have access to your main luggage. If in any doubt please contact us.
Centre Based
For our centre based trips, in other words where you are staying in the same accommodation all week, you are welcome to bring whatever luggage you require. However, do refer to the note below with regard to 'size' and the lack of elevators in some hotels.
Size of Luggage
Please note that many hotels do not have elevators. This means you may need to carry your luggage to your bedroom.
On our point-to-point trips where your luggage is moved along the route by taxi we ask that you keep the weight to a maximum of 15kgs (33lbs), and ONE bag per person. Many of the taxi companies who move your bags impose a 15kg (33lbs) limit and restrict the number because they have to unload and reload the vehicle each day. If you take more than one bag you may be asked to pay a supplement.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
When creating tailor-made trips for our private guests we do not include the cost of any additional expenses such as transport, accommodation or cable cars which may be required to complete your route due to itinerary changes. We always aim to complete the proposed itinerary that you have agreed with us. However, in terms of both safety and enjoyment the day by day route can only be followed when conditions and weather make it appropriate. Your guide will make a decision on your route based on those conditions. Any decision by your guide will be final and indisputable. We therefore ask that you are prepared to cover these expenses, if needed, for your group and the guide. It is rare that we need to apply this, but by operating on a case by case basis we avoid building these costs into your agreed trip price.
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation as soon as possible. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
If you wish to add on optional activities these can easily be arranged for you. In winter you could choose to experience a range of other winter sports. Depending on the location you are choosing for your trip these can include trying cross country skiing, dog sledding, ice climbing, glacier walking, or even sleigh rides. We can advise you on what is available in each location.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
The date range given below indicates the months when the activity can be undertaken.
The Complete Package We can offer all inclusive packages which include accommodation, snowshoe equipment hire, the guides fees and expenses and all logistics. We can also add on other winter activities like; cross country skiing, husky dog sledding, alpine skiing and ice climbing etc.
Maximum Numbers To ensure that you make the most of your snowshoe experience we take a maximum of 8 people per guide. We can accommodate larger groups but for reasons of safety and enjoyment this would require an additional guide or guides depending on the group size.
Equipment Rental If you require snowshoe equipment we provide this at a rate of £20 per person per day or £15 per person for a half day. The snowshoe equipment package includes snowshoes, walking poles, avalanche transceivers (a location beacon), snow shovel and snow probe.
| From Price | What's your budget? |
| Holiday Type | Tailormade |
| Duration | How long do you have? |
| Minimum Age | Any |
| Countries Visited | Italy, France, Switzerland, Norway, Germany |
